The Flyers made history over the weekend; the Habs got crushed again in game one, the Sharks didn’t have to kill a penalty but lost and Oiler fans saw a glimpse of what the future might look like.

Jordan Eberle’s four points in a 12-1 blowout over Norway had Oiler fans daydreaming about what they might see in the future. Toss in Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson, the signing of Teemu Hartikainen, Taylor Hall’s first period v. Brandon and Devan Dubnyk going to the worlds and finally there are some reasons to be a hopeful Oiler fan.

You never discount four points, but when they come against Norway you have to temper your enthusiasm. The only thing you can’t debate about Eberle is how he sees and thinks the game. The advantage he’ll have when he comes to camp next season is that he’ll play with guys who think and play the game better than any of his previous teammates. Or at least I hope he’ll be on a line with the likes of MPS, Hemsky, Penner, Gagner, Brule or Hall/Seguin. It’s too early to think about the horror of seeing him line up on the 4th line.

The one knock scouts and hockey people have against Eberle is his skating, and he knows it. He’s worked extremely hard the past two years with Steve Serdachny, the Oilers skating and skills coach, and Serdachny is confident Eberle’s skating won’t be an issue in the NHL.

“I’ve worked with lots of young guys over the years and Jordan’s work ethic and drive to improve is the highest I’ve seen. He has put in lots of extra work improving his first few steps, and he doesn’t skate as up right as he used to,” Serdachny said on my radio show last Friday.

Eberle doesn’t have to skate like Cogliano to succeed, because of his ability to get to the open areas. He has an accurate shot, and despite his size, he isn’t afraid to go into the tough areas to score. If he plays with guys who are more puck carriers and puck distributors he should be fine in the NHL.

The more I watch MPS, the more I think he might be more NHL ready than Eberle. He skates exceptionally well, has a bit of bite to his game and after playing three years in the SEL he is physically ready to handle NHL defenceman. I keep hearing the Oilers are getting closer to working out a deal to sign the 10th pick in 2009, so we should see him in Edmonton this fall.

*** It hasn’t been officially announced yet, but the Oilers prospect camp will go July 5th to 9th, and if MPS is signed, Oiler fans could see him before September. This summer’s camp should be the most watched in years. Eberle, MPS, Hartikainen, Linus Omark, Phillippe Cornet, Toni Rajala, this year’s picks and possibly Anton Lander will make it a hell of a camp.***

Scary Love

In one period Taylor Hall showed why he’s a top prospect, but also why there is some concern in how he plays.

Hall’s skills are top-notch and I love how he isn’t afraid to try things with the puck. The video isn’t the best angle of the hit, because it wasn’t from behind, but rather two guys colliding shoulder-to-shoulder.

Hall is not afraid to after any puck, and clearly he isn’t afraid of a collision, but when his own GM says he needs to be more award on the ice, you have to be a bit wary wondering if he can handle those types of hits in the NHL.

Hall’s performance at the Memorial Cup will only strengthen TEAM HALL’s reasons why the Oilers should draft him, and it is hard not to see why people like him. I’d still take Seguin, but if the Oilers take Hall it will be hard to rip that pick. The kid can play, and his passion for the game is refreshing.

DD or JDD

I wonder how much, if any, the decision of hockey Canada to bring Devan Dubnyk to the Worlds instead of Jeff Deslauriers will have on the Oilers this summer.

If the Oilers had any say -- I can’t get any confirmation that they did -- and Dubnyk was the guy they recommended then it seems obvious who is ranked #2 behind Khabibulin.

I wonder how Deslauriers felt when he heard Dubnyk was going? I can tell you he wasn’t thrilled about it, and it’s fair for him to wonder if that has any bearing on where he stands within the Oilers’ goaltending ranks.

My money is that Dubnyk will be here longer than Deslauriers. Of course, Khabibulin’s court case this summer will have an impact of whether the Oilers move JDD before training camp. If the Oilers keep both DD and JDD through training camp, the chance of them losing one for nothing would be high. I think they might move JDD at the draft, and then sign a veteran journeyman this summer. He would be one injury away from getting called up to Edmonton, and that will be an intriguing carrot that Tambellini can dangle. Would a veteran guy like Curtis Sanford or Brent Krahn be of interest to Steve Tambellini?

'Wow' is all I will say

(Big shout out to loyal Nation reader and TEAM 1260 listener Brian for sending me that video)

After watching this video, do you applaud the city of Cleveland for pulling out all the stops to try and entice Lebron to stay, or does it look like begging? I thought it wasn’t bad, in a cheesy sort of way. Listen to the song without watching the video, and you’ll groan a bit. Carl Monday’s moustache is awesome and Mark Brown the furniture pitchman made me laugh out loud. Some days we need to not take ourselves so serious…

One of Canada's most versatile sports personalities. Jason hosts The Jason Gregor Show, weekdays from 2 to 6 p.m., on TSN 1260, and he writes a column every Monday in the Edmonton Journal. You can follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/JasonGregor

I too take Duchene over Tavares... said it at the time last year. I've kind of used those names as comparables to this years crop,hence my picking of Seguin. If those aren't fair comparisons, then perhaps my line of thinking is a little off (I haven't seen a lot of either).

I also think this Gudbranson kid could be a real nice pickup wherever he ends up.

Everytime i see hall though he grows on me. I've never had a good look at seguin, Hall in this game has been playing PK and blocking shots with his teeth. But all the Cup teams build around centre so thats why im sticking with Seguin

I think serious consideration is in order for Hemsky-Staal swap, especially if the feeling is that Ales will bolt (which we don't really know at this time). However, to throw in MPS... I'm speechless. I'd talk Cogliano before him (and I'm not saying they'd need to).

Staal has proven nothing in the nhl except he is a very good 3rd line centre. Hemsky is X2 more valuable to us than Staal would be. Hemsky is probably the only top 6 forward who is willing to go to the tough areas. Why do u think he gets all these injuries. Hemsky would be on the top line of most nhl teams.

J.Stall.....four years and has accomplished something pretty special in the NHL vs A. Hemsky whom in his 8 years has done nothing special.

Taylor Hall may be the next Patrick Stefan... ever think about that? I'm not anti-Hall, I just like playing devils advocate with you, but Hall's own GM has said he gets hit way too much. Hall could end up concussion-prone based on that testament alone... nevermind the hits I've seen him take. Food for thought?

It's not as though Stefan was terrible... he ran into concussion problems. If he didn't, are we talking about a legitimate star player? Who knows...

Hall's definitely playing well, however. I just think perhaps people need to look past the present. If Seguin is more likely to be better in years 5-20, shouldn't he be the target?

I think serious consideration is in order for Hemsky-Staal swap, especially if the feeling is that Ales will bolt (which we don't really know at this time). However, to throw in MPS... I'm speechless. I'd talk Cogliano before him (and I'm not saying they'd need to).

Three years ago Cogliano also shared the very same expectations didn't he....many of these kids come here with great looking scouting reports and then often disappoint when it matters most.

Taylor Hall may be the next Patrick Stefan... ever think about that? I'm not anti-Hall, I just like playing devils advocate with you, but Hall's own GM has said he gets hit way too much. Hall could end up concussion-prone based on that testament alone... nevermind the hits I've seen him take. Food for thought?

It's not as though Stefan was terrible... he ran into concussion problems. If he didn't, are we talking about a legitimate star player? Who knows...

Hall's definitely playing well, however. I just think perhaps people need to look past the present. If Seguin is more likely to be better in years 5-20, shouldn't he be the target?

No worries, as usual I don't mind debating with you.....

Speaking of devils advocate, I'd be more worried that Seguin's one year was an aberration rather than Hall's 3 straight years of consistency and 2 straight OHL championships whereby he was the leading scorer and possible back to back Memorial Cup championships than he might be the next Patrick Stefan...

This is what I'm talking about Hall continues to dominate, it never ends, he is consistent and is a star and Seguin has one good regular season and because he is a center and because Central scouting rates him #1 so many stick to Seguin like glue...

I'd never draft a player worried about whether he is going to get hurt unless that player has a history of getting hurt....everyone talks like Seguin would never take a hit...if that truly is the case then I'd be worried that he is afraid to go to greasy areas to create offense...

I think it may be a big mistake to look past the present because the present which includes 3 straight consistent seasons may very well be the future as well...

IMO I don't think Seguin will ever be better than Hall, I agree with Ogden, I see Seguin becoming a smart reliable two way center who could reach the 85 pt mark but I see Hall as a superstar in the making, possible 95 pt + player, a guy who does the kind of things that players need to do to produce in todays game and a guy who seems to ramp up his game even more when the games become even more pressure packed.

I realize there is no guarantee but I think it's far fetched at this point to suggest that Seguin will be better in years 5-20 than Hall. Having a more ready Hall may also go a long way into the Oilers being able to keep some of their higher end guys or to attract others here.

Hall is great don't get me wrong. I just said he doesnt have to will his team to win. Where as Seguin is the ONLY player on his team

I'm not understanding this notion that Seguin is the ONLY player on his team...

Plymouth wasn't a bottom barrell team and they had some pretty good players on that team as well. They picked up Phil McRae before the trade deadline as well they had AJ Jenks... both of these guys were key players on the US world jr gold medal winning team and while Seguin was disappearing in the head to head series with Windsor both Jenks and McRae were the ones that carried Plymouth in that series....

Seguin did not make anyone on his team better when that series took place...as the games got more pressure packed and important Seguin's game went south....not only did he crap the bed offensively he also stunk it up defensively as well...

I don't know about anyone else but this disappearing act scares the hell out of me and worries me that this could be his MO...

I'd like to see the player succeed in a high pressure situation before going all ga ga over him and making him our guy at the draft...

Hall doesnt need to will his team to win. They have like 6 nhl players in the making..........

And he's the best player out of all of them. He's a winner. It's important to teams to get a winner. I don't know what Sequins records are, but everyone knows Hall's records he has won at every level so far.

Are you aware of the fact J Stall can play all minutes of the game ? J Stall would also be on the top line of most teams, with Sid and Malkin it's kinda hard don't you think ? Hemsky is one dimensional you can't say the same about Stall.

Kinda hard to say Seguin will be better down the road, when they can't tell if he is better now. So Hall isn't going to get better ? Oh yeah Seguin has had one good season now he is more consistent ? It's easy for Hall to play with his head down in the OHL, he is bigger and better then most in the leauge. Do you think he would not adapt to the NHL ?

How often do you hear the idiots on TV ( Mcguire etc ) mention, this player was a memorial cup, this player has won every where he has been, this player won the WJC ? I'm not a Mcguire fan but he isn't the only guy.

Are you aware of the fact J Stall can play all minutes of the game ? J Stall would also be on the top line of most teams, with Sid and Malkin it's kinda hard don't you think ? Hemsky is one dimensional you can't say the same about Stall.

The only ones i see as him being the #1 is Calgary, Nashville, Islanders, Rangers, Toronto, Edmonton, Toronto

The other players are more dominant in their position than Staal. The kid has put up a career high of 49 points. Although he is probably a better defensive player than some, he is not first line material

Fair evaluation but add Columbus, Atlanta,Dallas,Nashville,Phoneix to your list. Yeah Stall hasn't put up big numbers but plays on the Third line ( Sid,Malkin)gets little powerplay time and kills all penalties.

Columbus has Rick Nash, B.Richards ( -12)isn't close to the player he was before same can be said about Arnott. Lombardi hasn't been great (53 points playing top line mins), Antapov I haven't seen much of him but since he played with Kovy I think his points are inflated. Vinny hasn't been good for his standards and with Stamkos scoring over 50 and he was still -16, I would almost add him to the list of used to be good

Fair evaluation but add Columbus, Atlanta,Dallas,Nashville,Phoneix to your list. Yeah Stall hasn't put up big numbers but plays on the Third line ( Sid,Malkin)gets little powerplay time and kills all penalties.

Columbus has Rick Nash, B.Richards ( -12)isn't close to the player he was before same can be said about Arnott. Lombardi hasn't been great (53 points playing top line mins), Antapov I haven't seen much of him but since he played with Kovy I think his points are inflated. Vinny hasn't been good for his standards and with Stamkos scoring over 50 and he was still -16, I would almost add him to the list of used to be good

Horcoff had 70+ points one season is he a top line center ?

I had nashville up there already, and Staal still gets second unit powerplay time at worst. I think antropov is a more effective first liner and same with Brad richards.

Okay than Stamkos is the number one cetnre haha. And i think Horcoff is a second line player, that's why i put Gagner as the number one centre because i think he will be a point per game player some day. Some people say im crazy but the kids got game and a sense for the game.

The only ones i see as him being the #1 is Calgary, Nashville, Islanders, Rangers, Toronto, Edmonton, Toronto

The other players are more dominant in their position than Staal. The kid has put up a career high of 49 points. Although he is probably a better defensive player than some, he is not first line material

Taking into consideration the list you've made i'd put Staal in ninth...many of those guys are on the downside of their careers.I feel Staals best days are ahead of him and those days wont ever happen playing behind Crosby and Malkin.

The kid has put up 49pts playing behind Crosby and Malkin....according to you he's topped out and must be on the downside of his career?

Sorry your right you had Nashville on the list. I think we will be luck if Gagner gets 65 points a season but I have never been a Gagner fan. If J Stall can get 49 points playing on the third line getting second powerplay mins, what woiuld be get playing more mins ? Gagner plays powerplay and 2nd line min, whats his best season? J Stall is only a year older.

I feel Stall would be that point a game player as the top center here in Edmonton...don't you? Playing behind Crosby and Malkin tells me he's capable of much more here in Edmonton.

How often has Hemsky had an 70'ish point season? He's a top line winger here in Edmonton but on a team that has a chance to win he's getting 14 mins a night and not 18-20 like here, don't get me wrong i wouldn't give Hemsky away for anything less than the second pick or a No. 1 center.

The more we see of Taylor Hall the clearer it becomes who the better player is....correct?

....or are we going to continue to project that Seguin may eventually be the player Hall already is?

Theirs what? 10 - 12PPG centers every year, Staal is an opportunity away from being one of those guys???

I'd love to have Staal on this team (I think he's the prototype 2nd line center on a championship team) and I'd consider trading Hemsky for him straight up, if Hemmer is unlikely to re-sign... but to include a premier prospect like MSP on top of Hemsky is insane.

I've said for a while now - MPS is a gem... I was pissed off when he fell in the Oilers laps, and now I'm certain I had reason to be. IMO, he's a lock to make the team (if he signs). Eberle, on the other hand, may need 35 games or so in the A (couldn't hurt). So... thats a RW & a LW... next up, a C ;-)

Ya I agree. Eberle is getting all the hype right now, but when it's all said and done I'd bet heavy that MSP will have a far better career.

Sorry your right you had Nashville on the list. I think we will be luck if Gagner gets 65 points a season but I have never been a Gagner fan. If J Stall can get 49 points playing on the third line getting second powerplay mins, what woiuld be get playing more mins ? Gagner plays powerplay and 2nd line min, whats his best season? J Stall is only a year older.

Note I'm a Jordan Stall fan so my opinion could be swayed

A lot of people don't give gagner a good shot of being a point a guy player in this league. But i believe he is comparable to a Spezza minus 15 points. When he max's his potential out he will be a very effective player, he needs to work on his speed and release. He tries to do to much sometimes in the nuetral zone and has a little bit of a giveaway tendancy. He is a tad soft and for his size that doesn't help either. Well if we can compare next year stats i think gagner is gunna end up with 70 points next season. So if we assume(everyone is gunna bash me for this one but i truly belive gagner will be a premier set up guy in this league) than it isn't even comparable. I wouldn't trade Gagner for Staal because i am a Gags beliver. Cogliano on the other hand is a guy i'll give up for Staal in a heartbeat.

Sorry your right you had Nashville on the list. I think we will be luck if Gagner gets 65 points a season but I have never been a Gagner fan. If J Stall can get 49 points playing on the third line getting second powerplay mins, what woiuld be get playing more mins ? Gagner plays powerplay and 2nd line min, whats his best season? J Stall is only a year older.

When have I said that ? Cause I wrote I see Gagner as a 65 point player ? Horcoff had a couple good seasons, I don't see him as having offensive upside. He was playing in the zone, he lost that zone at the allstar game a couple years ago.
I think Gagner has offensive upside but not as such as we all hope. Lots of players have upside and also downside.
Three years ago Horcoff had upside now he doesn't. Here is a list of players people thought had offensive upside, J Lupul, R Nillson, POS do they now ?

A lot of people don't give gagner a good shot of being a point a guy player in this league. But i believe he is comparable to a Spezza minus 15 points. When he max's his potential out he will be a very effective player, he needs to work on his speed and release. He tries to do to much sometimes in the nuetral zone and has a little bit of a giveaway tendancy. He is a tad soft and for his size that doesn't help either. Well if we can compare next year stats i think gagner is gunna end up with 70 points next season. So if we assume(everyone is gunna bash me for this one but i truly belive gagner will be a premier set up guy in this league) than it isn't even comparable. I wouldn't trade Gagner for Staal because i am a Gags beliver. Cogliano on the other hand is a guy i'll give up for Staal in a heartbeat.

You're not alone Pilgor...I am a Gagner believer too....seems many are already to cast him aside at the ripe old age of 20....yet his numbers at this early age are comparable or better than many of todays great players..

I see the hockey sense and skill in his game as well and do believe if the Oilers would just make the guy the top center and put him on the 1st pp unit that he'd be shining consistently in no time...especially with the added skill this team is soon to have...

When have I said that ? Cause I wrote I see Gagner as a 65 point player ? Horcoff had a couple good seasons, I don't see him as having offensive upside. He was playing in the zone, he lost that zone at the allstar game a couple years ago.
I think Gagner has offensive upside but not as such as we all hope. Lots of players have upside and also downside.
Three years ago Horcoff had upside now he doesn't. Here is a list of players people thought had offensive upside, J Lupul, R Nillson, POS do they now ?

I guess upside wasn't the correct word, maybe ceilling might have been a better term.

I don't think Edmonton is the place you want to bring a player who you think will break out. Remember Lupul? 30 goal scorer who just needed a Hemsky on his line. How'd that turn out?
Gambling on Staal is not a move we should be making. Besides, we already have a good 2 way centre who plays PK and PP who can put up 49 points signed for 5 more years. Do we really need 2 at a cap hit of 9.5? As much as every Oil fan hates his 5.5 cap hit, you can't deny that he brings it every game and wants to play here.

I think I've seen Lupul's name thrown out a few times now as if he's some kind of bust. The guy hit 20 goals or more two years in a row after the Oilers gave up on him and was on pace for between 35 and 40 goals before he was injured this season.

The guy isnt a bust and should definitely not be mentioned in the same breath as POS or R Nilsson (post 78)

Theirs what? 10 - 12PPG centers every year, Staal is an opportunity away from being one of those guys???

I'd love to have Staal on this team (I think he's the prototype 2nd line center on a championship team) and I'd consider trading Hemsky for him straight up, if Hemmer is unlikely to re-sign... but to include a premier prospect like MSP on top of Hemsky is insane.

Hemsky is a top 10 RW in the NHL, arguably top 6-8.

Lets get a grip with this 2nd line stuff.

Yes, Staal is an opportunity away from being a PPG player. I'm not saying he's a point a game player for five years running, i'm saying he could fill this role for a season or two till Hall's ready for the No.1 center role here in Edmonton. Hall has played center before and he will again in the NHL, i know this sucks if your name is Gagner or Horcoff but we can't wait forever for these guys to meet expectations based on potential or salary.It could be time to cut bait on Gagner being a center here...i'd move him to the wing and see if there's an improvement in his game or just move him this year if he gets off to another slow start.

If we could get Staal or the Bruins #2 pick i would move Hemsky in a heartbeat. I wouldn't wait for Ales to make up his mind about his future here....i'd make that decision for him.

I think the OHL Playoffs and Memorial Cup have caused me to jump the fence to Hall.

The kid elevates his game when it matters. He's proven it multiple times. You can't teach that and not often do players have the chance to prove it before a draft.

Use Hemsky as a starting point to get Staal from the Pens. Then we have 2 proven winners.

I've never tried an orange, or really even seen one. I have seen a lot of apples lately though, and because I've seen so many apples I'm willing to say that apples are better than these oranges that I haven't seen.

Several people that have spent a lot of time eating both apples and oranges say that oranges may be better, but I think I'm standing by apples because I've never seen an orange.

Archaeologuy:
I agree completely. I don't know if its the pressure, Oilers system, high expectations, or what, but it seems like players who are on the verge of possibly breaking out come here and then take a step back.(I wasn't saying he was a bust, should've elaborated my point more, sorry)

I just don't think Edmonton should be trading to get an unproven player who everyone thnks can potentially be a number one centre. With Staal especially, there is to many "ifs." "If he wasn't behind Malkin and Crosby," "If he was an Oiler." He is a good player, but a number one centre?

Exactly, I would love to see him take over the 2nd line spot on a full time basis and see how his offense improves before I'd be ready to project him as the go to #1 guy. I just think lots of guys are over-estimating the offensive part of his game. He plays a very important role, but he doesnt have any pressure to score.

Ok, seriously, is the only reason we keep on putting this douche bag in net b/c he's the only one that is supposedly an NHL goalie?? Come on! Chad Johnson has at least showed he can play! This guy's blocker side is WEAK!!! bah!

I wanna know where the other 500 Canadian goalies are!!! ALL OF THEM said no to team Canada?? Are you FREAKIN serious?? bah!

This better be a lesson for Team Canada. Take all the rookies you want as skaters, but you better ice at least 2 solid NHL goalies. When the 2nd most experienced Goalie for Team Canada is Dubnyk, the team is in trouble.

Archaeologuy:
I agree completely. I don't know if its the pressure, Oilers system, high expectations, or what, but it seems like players who are on the verge of possibly breaking out come here and then take a step back.(I wasn't saying he was a bust, should've elaborated my point more, sorry)

I just don't think Edmonton should be trading to get an unproven player who everyone thnks can potentially be a number one centre. With Staal especially, there is to many "ifs." "If he wasn't behind Malkin and Crosby," "If he was an Oiler." He is a good player, but a number one centre?

Great point. We're always looking for reasons for why players are worse, or better then their performance indicates (ie Seguin is better then he shows because of the team he is on, Hall is worse then he shows because of the team he is on, Staal is better then he shows because he's behind Crosby/Malkin etc etc)

Why do we always want to guess at who is going to be better here. Lets get players that have proven to be good and then hope they are equally good here.

This better be a lesson for Team Canada. Take all the rookies you want as skaters, but you better ice at least 2 solid NHL goalies. When the 2nd most experienced Goalie for Team Canada is Dubnyk, the team is in trouble.

If Team Canada was learning from the lesson, then Chad Johnson would've started...he's been better then Mason in all of his relief efforts! But NO! We go back to the sieve! great!

I'm getting the updates online as I'm not allowed to watch the game at work...is it accurate that we've gotten ZERO shots in the 2nd period? and the Czechs have 13??? That can't be right...can it?

Edit: nevermind...apparently we have 10 shots in the second...they just updated it!

Impatiece?
The Oiler fan base has been given high hopes at the beginning of the year, only to be let down at the end. Although most fans say they will wait for the team to rebuild properly, I'm sure many are still hoping for that quick fix.
Case in point: MPS, 1st overall and Hemsky for Malkin(a trade to which there is no merit to, just one reporters phantom proposal). How can you rebuild and trade top end picks/prospects at the same time? I personally am completely against that trade, but it seem like a fair share of Oiler fans want that to happen.

I've never tried an orange, or really even seen one. I have seen a lot of apples lately though, and because I've seen so many apples I'm willing to say that apples are better than these oranges that I haven't seen.

Several people that have spent a lot of time eating both apples and oranges say that oranges may be better, but I think I'm standing by apples because I've never seen an orange.

I understand where you are coming from. But no one here is going to deny the fact that Hall has exceled every time he has been put on the big stage.

Am I saying that Seguin wouldn't - No. But I can only assume that he would succeed, and with assumption comes risk.

Hall is a proven gamer. Seguin looks like he could become one. Hall is more NHL ready right now. Seguin appears like he is going to be better than Hall in 3-5 years.

It's a risk reward scenario. The big question is how much risk do you take.

They are 17 year old kids - they both have risk, but Hall has proven a lot more to this point which to me lowers the risk associated with him.